EVALUATION OF THE ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF THE AQUEOUS EXTRACT OF THE MICRO-POWDERED FRUIT OF Solanum melongena L. “berenjena” (Solanaceae)

Abstract

Solanum melongena L “berenjena” is among the top ten vegetables with the ability to absorb oxygen radicals due to its phenolic constituents, The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the aqueous extract of the micropulverized fruit of Solanum melongena L “berenjena”, from the district of Cieneguilla – Lima, by means of the inhibition method against the free radical 1,1-diphenyl 1-2-picrilhydracil (DPPH).
The qualitative analysis for the determination of the chemical constituents resulted in the presence of free amino groups, phenolic compounds, alkaloids, flavonoids and saponins, highlighting in importance the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds of recognized antioxidant activity. The “berenjena” in a concentration of 50 ug/mL by the DPPH method, provided an antioxidant activity of (79,0% ± 2,5), and a mean inhibitory concentration IC50 (30,4 μg/mL ± 2,0), which compared to 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid (Trolox), made (99.3% ± 0,4) and an IC50 (2,20 μg/mL ± 0,3), allowing to conclude that the aqueous extract of the micro-pulverized fruit of Solanum melongena L “berenjena” has an acceptable antioxidant activity, which confirms its use as a functional food for the benefit of health.